Kyung Ju Lee

Prostaglandin (PGE2), synthesized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), is associated with cellular immune tolerance during the process of cancer development. Induction of tolerance requires a specific environment in which dendritic cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an essential role. It was recently shown that maturation of dendritic cells in the presence of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) results in activation of Tregs, and inhibition of COX-2 activity regulated IDO expression within the tum

During pregnancy, many women gain excessive weight, which is related to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this study, we evaluated whether rate of gestational weight gain (RGWG) in early, mid, and late pregnancy is strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. A retrospective chart review of 2,789 pregnant Korean women was performed. Weights were recorded at the first clinic visit, during the screening test for fetal anomaly, and during the 50g oral glucose challenge test and del

Abstract We have developed a new molecular thermodynamic model to predict the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of nanocomposites consisting of polymer (1) and nanoparticle (2) based on the configurational entropy model and the Flory–Huggins theory. Four configurational entropies have been taken into account in this study: the disorientation entropy of the polymer ( S dis‐1 ), the confinement entropy of the nanoparticle ( S con‐2 ), the mixing ( S mix‐12 ), and the specific interaction entrop

The greenness of the environment had a positive effect on the pregnancy outcomes, despite poor air quality and civilization. Following urbanization, planning for greenness management, environmental medicine, and public health is important and thus should be proposed as preventive methods as way of increasing birthweight and life expectancy.

We aimed to examine the biophysical and psychological effects of two different types of forests on women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Seventy-one middle-aged Korean women participated in a half-day healing program at either Saneum Recreational Forest (a wild forest) or Seoul Forest (a tended forest) depending on their preference. The participants’ biophysical parameters and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were measured before and after the healing program. The two groups differed significantly

Although many people affected by COVID-19 suffer from some form of psychological distress, access to proper treatment or psychosocial interventions has been limited. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of a therapeutic gardening program conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program consisted of 30 sessions and was conducted at 10 nationwide sites in Korea from June to November 2021. Mental health and well-being were assessed using the Mental Health Screening

This study is the first meta-analysis of the effect of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. This meta-analysis demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation may result in a reduction in DBP in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, additional studies with large sample sizes and longer durations are needed to establish a relationship between vitamin D and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract A microphase‐separated, amphiphilic graft copolymer consisting of a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) backbone and poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM) side chains, (PVC‐ g ‐POEM at 62:38 wt %) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), FTIR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly revealed that the “grafting from” method using ATRP was successful and that the graft copolymer molecularly self‐assembled into

Overall improvements were observed in all maternal, infant, and perinatal mortality measures. In-depth analysis and interventions with respect to certain causes, such as hypertensive disorders in mothers or assaults in infants, should be considered priority issues.

Background: Preterm birth is strongly associated with increasing mortality, incidence of disability, intensity of neonatal care required, and consequent costs. We examined the clinical utility of the potential preterm birth risk factors from admitted pregnant women with symptomatic preterm labor and developed prediction models to obtain information for prolonging pregnancies. Methods: This retrospective study included pregnant women registered with the KOrean Preterm collaboratE Network (KOPEN)

These findings suggest that VEGF-induced endothelin-1 production might be mediated by MMP-2 rather than by ECE-1 upregulation.